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IF JESUS LIVED TODAY
HOW WOULD HE HANDLE CHANGE
(Luke 19:1-10; I Timothy 6:6-10)

An old mountaineer was in a large city for the first time,
standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old wrinkled
woman hobbled in and the doors closed. A few minutes later he
watched as the doors opened and a young, very attractive, woman
walked out. Amazed, but suddenly realizing the possibilities,
he hollered to this son, "Billy! Hurry up! Go get your mama!"

Well, all of us wish change were that easy. But it's not.

The Bible tells about one man who made a drastic change in both
his priorities and in his life style. Once Jesus "entered and
was passing through Jericho. And behold, there was a man called
by the name of Zaccheus; and he was a chief tax-gatherer, and he
was rich" (Luke 19:1-2).

Now, this was a very shrewd and capable person. To be a chief
of the tax collectors was a prestigious position. It also
provided a person with authority, influence and great wealth.

Nevertheless, Zaccheus was obviously unhappy and unfulfilled.
He was different from the rich fool who planned to eat, drink
and be merry. He had deeper desires. Material possessions
didn't satisfy him. Zaccheus had probably heard rumors about
Jesus and really wanted to meet him. In fact, he was desperate,
but he had a problem. The Scripture says, "He was trying to see
who Jesus was, and he was unable because of the crowd, for he
was small in stature" (Luke 19:3).

This was a man who solved problems. He was determined and
resourceful. Those were the same traits that had made him a
successful government official. The Scripture says, "He ran on
ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him,
for He was about to pass through that way" (Luke 19:4).

It's significant that Jesus picked Zaccheus out of the crowd and
rewarded him for his initiative. "When (he) came to the place,
He looked up and said to him, 'Zaccheus, hurry and come down,
for today I must stay at your house' " (Luke 19:5).

That was an astonishing statement. Jews hated tax collectors.
They were considered to be the lowest of traitors. They were
also viewed as thieves because all the extra money they squeezed
out of the people went into their own pockets.
Zaccheus was certainly surprised, but didn't hesitate for a
moment. He responded immediately. The Scripture says, "He
hurried and came down, and received Him gladly" (Luke 19:6).

Of course, there are always critics, and this was no exception.
"All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to
be the guest of a `sinner.' " (Luke 19:7).

But, Jesus knew Zaccheus wasn't just professing with his lips.
He was one who truly put his money where his mouth was. He
seemed to know instinctively that greed was his problem. Now,
you'll notice that Jesus didn't demand or even suggest that he
must change his attitude or lifestyle. Zaccheus seemed to
realize what he needed to do. The Scripture says, "And Zaccheus
stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my
possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded
anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much" (Luke
19:8).

This generous commitment represented a drastic change in
priorities and Jesus validated his decision. "Jesus said to
him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too,
is a son of Abraham' " (Luke 19:9).

That sycamore tree has become one of the greatest pulpits in the
history of Christianity. It preaches a sermon on the power of
kindness in effecting change. Now, suppose Jesus, pausing under
that tree, and looking up at Zacchaeus, had called out to him,
"You child of the devil! You sinner, who cheats the poor and
turns orphans and widows out on the streets, how shall you
escape the damnation of hell?" If Jesus had denounced him in
those words, we would have never heard of Zacchaeus. If that's
the way he responded to people, we'd probably never heard of
Jesus either. Instead, he spoke kindly to him and called him to
come down, and went to his house as a guest, and he did all of
this before Zacchaeus had made any commitments or promises to
change.

Why do you suppose Jesus reacted as he did to Zaccheus? What
lessons can we learn from this incident? What point does it
make about change?

I. FIRST, ZACCHEUS WANTED TO CHANGE

There were a lot of eager men and women on the street that day;
but Jesus gave a positive response to Zacchaeus because he saw
that he was a serious seeker. Mere curiosity is not enough.
Many people are attracted to some new doctrine, but not enough
to make a commitment. But, Zaccheus yearned for something more.

Zacchaeus may have heard about Jesus and how he accepted and
forgave sinners. He may have hoped for that acceptance and
forgiveness. Jesus was referring to people like him when he
said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matt. 5:6).

II. NEXT ZACCHEUS WAS DETERMINED TO CHANGE

Jesus made a special effort to reach Zaccheus because he saw the
little man's resolve and ingenuity. Just a vague wish for a
better life is not enough. Change requires determination.
Zacchaeus didn't make excuses and say, "Well, I can't see him;
so why try?" He didn't let others stand in his way. He didn't
shrug and say, "Oh, well, he'll probably come by here again, and
I'll see him then. Instead, he showed initiative and
persistence. He risked criticism and ridicule. He was
desperate for help.

III. FINALLY, ZACCHEUS DID WHAT WAS NECESSARY
IN ORDER TO CHANGE

He didn't just hope for a better life. He didn't just think
about his values. He didn't just talk about improvement. He
did something! Jesus offered complete forgiveness because
Zaccheus put feet to his prayers. He was willing to do
something about his situation, even if it meant personal and
financial sacrifice. He didn't just "repent"; he "atoned." He
made amends. He changed both his mind and his actions.

Few people are willing to make such a drastic change in their
lifestyle.

Now, what if this were today? How would Jesus react if some
unpopular skinflint climbed up a light pole to see him? Would
Jesus go home with a criminal? Would Jesus socialize with a
known drug dealer? Would Jesus publicly validate a person who
had stolen thousands of dollars from innocent people? Would
Jesus buck public opinion by associating with traitors?

We don't know for sure what would happen if a parallel event
occurred on a street in our town. Even though many details
would be different if Jesus lived here in American today instead
of in Palestine 2000 years ago; his principles would remain the
same.

1. FIRST, JESUS WOULD STILL RESPOND TO THOSE WHO WANT TO CHANGE

He issued an invitation and left it up to individuals to take
the initiative. "Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If
anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37).

Notice, he said "anyone"; not just good moral Americans.

Again he said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest" (Matt.11:28).

Notice that he said, "all"; not just those who are socially
acceptable. Such a welcoming attitude causes more conversions
than a condemning attitude. I'm sure you remember the old fable
of the wind and the sun. They had a debate as to which could
make a man take off his cloak. The wind tried. It stormed and
raged and blew; but the man only wrapped his cloak closer about
him. Then when the wind gave up, the sun shone kindly and
warmly upon the man, until, heated by it's rays he willingly
removed his garment.

We can learn from the method of the sun. We can also learn from
Jesus' response that day when he dealt so kindly with the
outcast publican and brought out the best that was in him.

2. NEXT, JESUS WOULD STILL RESPOND TO THOSE WHO SHOW A
DETERMINATION TO CHANGE

He always rewarded persistence and ingenuity. The men who tore
off the roof to help their sick friend were rewarded. "And they
came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. And
being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed
the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let
down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus
seeing their faith said to the paralytic, 'My son, your sins are
forgiven' " (Mark 2:3-5).

Also, the Syro-Phoenician woman who argued with him was
rewarded. He said, "It is not right to take the children's
bread and toss it to their dogs" (Matt.15:26).

But she replied, "'Yes, Lord . . . but even the dogs eat the
crumbs that fall from their masters' table" (Matt. 15:27).

This was unusual! It was almost unheard of for a woman to be so
outspoken with a man. But, instead of reproach, there was a
compliment. "Then Jesus answered, 'Woman, you have great faith!
Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed from that
very hour" (Matt. 15:28).

In both cases Jesus equated "faith" with "determination."

3. FINALLY, JESUS WOULD STILL RESPOND TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING
TO DEMONSTRATE A POSITIVE CHANGE

He believed trees were to be evaluated by their fruits. "Every
good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit"
(Matt. 7:17).

He also said, "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).

James may have been thinking about Zaccheus when he said, "Faith
by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But
someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your
faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do'
" (James 2:17-18).

Zacchaeus followed through. He demonstrated his sincerity by
his actions.

Now, if we're to take the gospel seriously, what does this mean
for us? Remember the Scripture says, "Whoever claims to live in
him must walk as Jesus did" (I John 2:6).

If Jesus lived today, he would still respond to anyone who wants
to change.

Tolstoy said, "Everyone wants to change the world; but few want
to change themselves!"

A conversion is a change of heart and mind and life. It's a
transformation. There's a little bug known as a grub. It
crawls around in the mire and muck of a stagnant pond. It
enjoys the mud on the bottom of the swamp and the green scum on
the top. It is unmindful of the glorious sunshine above, the
singing birds, the beautiful flowers and the great trees.

Then, one day a strange feeling possesses this little creature.
It becomes restless with an urgent desire to climb to the
surface. It wants to change. Laboriously it makes its way up
the stalk of some reed until in nears the surface. It is
determined to change. There it pauses to rest. Suddenly, its
shell bursts open and there emerges a new and beautiful flying
creature known as the dragon fly. It is willing to give up it's
old skin and habitat to change. Now, it scorns the scum. It
despises the dark depths of the stagnant pond. It cares nothing
for its former relatives, associates and friends who are still
in the muck and mud. It lives on a higher plane and enjoys the
beauties of God's creation.

This is a picture of the great change brought about by the new
birth.

Do you really want to change for the better? Jesus would
encourage you.

Do you want to change badly enough to overcome obstacles and
persevere? Jesus would encourage you.

Will you do whatever is necessary to accomplish a positive
change; even if it means personal sacrifice? Jesus would
encourage you.

The most momentous personal question is this: What if my whole
life has been wrong? That was the truth Zaccheus faced.

*****
(Word Count 2052)

These messages are from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted
by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. Please use them in
any way you think appropriate. The only thing we ask is that
you give credit for original material in published works.

My ministry has been blessed immeasurably by reading other
people's sermons. When I started preaching 54 years ago, I
waited for "inspiration" before I began my sermon preparation
(usually Saturday night, about midnight). Then, I discovered it
wasn't inspiration at all-it was sheer PANIC. I would have
welcomed this service.

Comments are always welcome. (Please indicate if you do not want
your comments to appear in New Perspectives).

Miles Wesner